Issue 050
June 2009
STATISTICS
Name: Dan Henderson
Record: 24-7-0
Age: 38
Height: 5’11”
Category Middle / light heavyweight
Fighting Style: Boxing / wrestling
Fights out of: Temecula, California
Active since: 1997
A 12-year veteran of the sport, Dan ‘Hollywood’ Henderson spent the best part of ten years fighting in Japan before returning to the UFC in 2007. A multiple national wrestling champion and winner of no less than three MMA tournaments, Henderson built up his reputation as a ‘fight anyone’ type of guy by facing off with everyone from middleweights to heavyweights in the promotions RINGS and Pride.
Since coming back to the UFC, Henderson has gone 2-2 in his last four fights, first dropping a five-round decision to the then light-heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson, and failing to make it out of the second round against middleweight champ Anderson Silva. A pair of wins (over Rousimar Palhares and Rich Franklin) has seen him regain his form, and Henderson will next face his opposite-number coach for the ninth series of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), England’s Michael Bisping.
Head
Known by his fellow fighters as one of the toughest competitors out there, Henderson is a hard nut to crack. He’s never been knocked out, with only three of his losses by way of submission. ‘Hendo’ has also been known to use his head in other ways – Bustamante claims he was stunned from a headbutt, not a punch, in their controversial first encounter.
Arms
A former Greco-Roman wrestler, Henderson started wrestling in his youth. Traveling to the Olympics twice, Henderson didn’t pick up a medal but did win numerous national titles before making the switch to MMA. Naturally, his clinch game is fantastic, and though he shuns high amplitude throws à la Jon Jones, his strong ‘grind you down, wear you out’ clinch game saps his opponent’s strength. Henderson also has a particularly mean front headlock.
Right hand
Possibly his most dangerous weapon, Henderson’s big right hand has been the downfall for many of his opponents. He’s knocked out a number of victims with his overhand right, winging it in with the full force of his body behind it.
CAREER SNAPSHOT
1997
Begins MMA career by winning the Brazil Open ’97 tournament, fighting twice in the same night.
1998
Makes his UFC debut, winning the UFC 17 middleweight tournament.
2000
Wins the Japanese RINGS King of Kings tournament, beating Gilbert Yvel, Minotauro and Babalu in the process. Makes Pride debut, losing to Wanderlei Silva by decision.
2005
Wins Pride ‘welterweight’ (183lb) tournament, beating Ryo Chonan, Akihiro Gono and Murillo Bustamante.
2007
KO’s Wanderlei Silva in Pride’s final show in Las Vegas. Makes return to UFC but loses to Rampage at 205lb.
2009
Starts the year off by beating Rich Franklin via decision. Takes coaching spot opposite Bisping on TUF 9.
